Fountain-pen.



FRANK M. ASHLEY, or NEW Yonx, N. Y.

FOUNTAIN-PEN.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mal-26,1912.

Application led December 3, 1906. Serial No. 345,979.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRAN-1i M. ASHLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Test Sixth street and Dewey avenue, Coney Island, New York city, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain-Pens, of which the-follo-wing is a specification.

My invention relates to fountain pens and particularly to that type known as self fillers.

The object of my invent-ion is to provide a pen of this character which will be d11.rable, easily filled, hold a large quant-ity of ink, and which may be adjusted to prevent flooding when the reservoir is nearly empty and in which the reservo-ir4 may be completely closed so that the pen may be car- ,s'ried in the poeketwithout danger of the ink escaping through the feed into the pocket of the wearer.

The broad feature of my invention consists in uniting in the construction a'valve, and a conduit through which the air within the reservoir may escape when ink is drawn in the reservoir, and in the details of construction as hereinafter set forth and claimed. y

Referring to the drawings, which form a' part of this specification, Figure 1, is a longitudinal sectional view of one form of my pen illustrating the-valve yoperating means located at the rear end of the pen. Fig. 2,

- is a fragmentalwview of the rear end oft-he pen feed showing a vertical gros'ive therein. Fig. 3is an end view of the valve shown in Fig. 1 and tube connected thereto. Fig.

4, is a modified form of feed section with the valve connected thereto and also illustrating my preferred form for the endv connection through which t-hevalve is operated and which is shown in operative position in Fig. 5. Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional view showingl a, modified construction of feed section with the valve held in proper operative relation thereto, and with the tube extending to the rear end of the casing and in operative connection with the pumping mechanism which serves in this construction as a means for operating the valve. Fig. 6,

is across sectional view of Fig. 7 on line cf-afg' .Fig 7, is a longitudinal view in section of another form of construction of the valve and the'method'of operating the same without the necessity of transmitting the movement through the instrumentality of the tube. Fig. 8, is a partial \iew of the fro-nt end ofthe pen casing and section ofFig. 7 as it would appear in plan view,v

andillustrates the general amiearance of the pen as a whole. Fig. 11 is a rear end view 4of Fig. 4. Fig. 12, is a cross sectional view through Fig. 1 on line thereof.

Referring to Fig. 1, 11 indicates a casing which is provided with a reservoir 12 and a. hollow cylindrical portion 13 in which is fit-ted the pen section 14 and pen point 15. The casing'is also provided with a flange 16 which is provided with two holes 17 and 18 located diametrically opposite to each other and a central opening through which the tube' 19 projects and which it completely occupies, and mounted on the end of said tube is a disk valve 20 provided with passages 21 and 22 located at opposite sideslhereof and adapted to register wit-h the ports 17 and 18. The inner face of said valve 20 abuts the flange 16 andis held in position by a ring 23 which is held by friction in the hollow cylindrical portion 13. The pen` section is provided with the usual feed duct 24 and is movable independent of the valve 20 or parts holding same in position, in this construction, but which is not so constructed in Fig. 5. The pen section is also provided with a vertical groove at its rear end indicated by 25 and if desired the ring 23 could be removed and the valve 2O held in position by the end of the pen section,but this construction is not recommended for the reason that the pen section should be movable longitudinally to provide 'for the adjustment of the pen point 15, and since the longitudinal movement of the valve in this figure is not provided for, I prefer to use the ring 23 as an abutment for the valve. z f

The rear end of the casing is" provided.

with a shoulder 26 and afslightly enlarged inner diameter, and a ring 27 is fitted in the casing to abut said shoulder and is of slightly less interior diameter than the inner diameter of the casing 11. A packing ring of cork 28 Yabuts-the ring 27 andacompres-A sion ring 29 is screwed in the end of the casing to hold said packing ring under proper tension and the thread which holds the ring 29 extends beyond the rear face of lsaid ring and serves to engage the thread 30 formed on the rear end of the piston 31. y

The piston 31 comprises a tube 32 provided with a flange 33 and a perforation 34 at its front-end, and an end piece 35, aplug y 36 having a recess, and a pin 37 which holds the said elements together as shown. The recess in the plug 36 is rectangular vin form and fits over in sliding relation thereto, a

rectangular shaped end piece 38 which is secured-to the rear end of the tube 19, so thatwhen the piston 31 is rotated, thet-ube 19 and valve 20 are turned therebyv and the valve ports are in turn opened or closed as will be readily understood.

In assembling the parts, the tube 19 having attached thereto the element 38 is projected through the opening or reservoir'in the casing llr'from the-rearend so that the front end of the tube-` extends beyond the front end of the casing 11 and the valve 20 is then placed on the end of the tube and secured by a pin 39 which is passed transversely through the valve and tube to hold them firmly together and the ring 23 is 'then' inserted inl position. The Vtube 32 of the piston is next inserted in the casing 11 andthe ring 27 packing 28 and ring 29 are then placed in position in the order named. The

plug 36 is'th'en placed inV position together with the element 35, and the pin 37 is inserted to hold them`together as shown. The pen section is next inserted together with the pen point, and the pen is then ready to be filled.

To fill, first force the piston ywithin the casing. as far as it will go before the screw .threads engage. Should the piston strike against the end'of the tube 19, by turning lthe piston on its axis a short distance, the

rectangular formed portions of the piston and tube end will' com e opposite to leach other and the piston may then be forced farther in the casing, thus engaging the tube end. Turn the end ofthe piston so that the line on its outer circumference is a quarter turn from the line on the exterior of the casing, thus closingthe valve, (see Fi 9.) and then insert lthe front end of the casing below the surface of ink andby reciprocating the and thus the inkis introduced into the reservoir and the air expelled therefrom.,y The thread at. the endof the piston is adjusted so that when the piston is screwed in as far as it will go, the valve ports will be closed `and the open end of the tube at itsrear end will be closed by abutting the inner end of the piston, so that the reservoir is 'completely closed and the pen-may be carried WithoutA danger of ink being spilled in the pocket of the wearer.

To write, turn the line on the piston in line with that on the casing, which will open 'the valve wide open and allow the ink to flow freely tothe pen point. If` flooding should occur when the reservoir is nearly empty, turn` the casing slightlyrelative to -thev piston, thus/partially closing the valve ports and thus restricting the flow of ink to the pen point. f i

Referring to Fig. 4, 40indicates amodified form of pen section provided with a duct 41 and a central perforation 42 which extends to a groove 43 in the end of the'pen section similar to that shown at 25 in Fig. 2, the projecting sides of which abut the front face ofthe valve 44 which'valve is secured to the pen section inoperablek relation thereto by the cap 45 which screws onto the rear end of said pen section and the outer diam- .f

eter of which is the same as Athat of the diameter of the pen section. The tube 46 `which is connected to this valve in the samer manner as that in Fig.r 1 previously de-- scribed, extends to the rear'end of the pen casing when inserted' therein, and is provided with a modified form of engaging device consisting of a disk having a short cylindrical projection on one face adapted to engage with4 the end of the tube 4,6 as shown,

and having on its opposite face la rectangular projection 47 which is shown in end view in Fig. 5 invproper engagement with the 'slot inthe innerend of the piston. A pin 48 secures the disk to the tube.

46 is provided with a similar perforation to allow the inkto flow therethrough into the reservoir of the pen, the tube 46 being shown broken to save space on the drawing.

In Fig. 5, the construction of the piston i is the same as that described in Fig. 1, and the construction described in Fig. 4, isadapted to fit in the casing 51 of Fig. 5,'as will be'- easily understood, and the valve disk in Figs. 4 and 5 is provided with ports arranged in the same manner as .that described for'Fig. 1. i v

The difference in the construction between that of Fig. 1 and Figs. 5 and 4 is The tube 50 is provided with a perforation 49 and the tube that the inner side'of the cap 45, (Fig. 4.)

'serves as one element vof the -valve .in place ofthe shoulder shown in Fig. 1 which is formed integral with. the'casing. The constructionin Figs. 4 and 5- allows the .valve and parts to be inserted inthe casing from the front end, and allows the longitudinal .movement necessary 4in the pen sect-ion to adjust the pen in proper position and also allows of easy inspection and allows the parts to be made in complete working order relatively before the same are connected to the casing of the pen.

The operation is the same as that described for Fig. 1 for filling and writing, and the construction will be easily understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring to Figs. 6-78 and 10, I show a considerable change in the construction of the valve parts and the method of operating same. The piston construction and packing provision therefor may be made the same as that described in Fig. 1, except that no recess need be made in the inner end of the piston, since no coperation takes place between the piston and valve in opening and closing the valve. The tube 52 extends to the inner face of the piston when the piston is in its locked position with the casing 53, so that the end of the tube is closed by abutment with the piston, as shown. In each of the constructions shown, the passage through the tube constitutes the filling passage and leads from 'the ink duct in the pen section to the rear end of t-he reservoir, and the valve ports or passages indicated by figures 17-21 and 18-22 in Fig. 1,-and 63-58 in Fig. 7, constitute the supply passages which lead directly from the front end'of the reservoir to the 'pen point, and it is, therefore, obvious that the supply passage in either of the constructions, may be closed or restricted without closing or restricting the filling passage. The ink duct in the pen section serves .to lead the ink to the filling passage, and

from the supply passage to the pen point. The pen section 54 is inserted in a holding section 55, and the rear end of the holding section is provided with a wall 56 having perforations 57 and 58. The rear outer portion of the holding section is preferably re duced inl diameter and the forward end of the casing 53 is fitted to slidingly engage therewith. A groove 59 is formed in the casing and section holder, and a pin 60 is inserted transversely through the casing so that "it will enter said groove and thereby prevent the casing and section holder from being accidentally separated and at the same time lallow the casing to rotate relative .to the section holder. lA disk or plug 61 forming part of the valve construct-ion, is connected to the casing 53 by a pin or other suitable means, and located so as to -abut the end of the section holder 56 as shown, and the tube 52 is made integral with said disk and its conduit arranged in line with the perforation 57. The diskl is also provided with a passage '63 which may be brought in line with the perforation 58 by turning the casing 53 relative to the section holder 55. This construction allows the valve to be closed or opened instantly, and.

the valve port to. be partly closed or restricted with exactness. To lill, theport or valve opening is closed and the piston operated as previously described.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is;

1. In a fountain pen, the combination with a reservoir having a fillingpassage which communicates with the reservoir at the rear end of said reservoir only, of a plug having an ink supply passage independent of said filling passage, leading from the reservoir to the pen point, means for controlling the area of said last passage, and filling means located at the rear end of said reservoir.

2. In a fountain pen, the combination with a reservoir having a tube communicating with the pen point and the reservoir and f orming a filling passage which communicates with the reservoir at the rear end of said reservoir only, of a plunger located at the rear end of said reservoir for filling the reservoir through the tube, a supply passage independent of said filling tube leading from the reservoir to the pen section, a valve connected to the tube for controlling the supply passage independent of said filling passage, said valve being movable to vary the out-fiow through said passage.

3. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoirtherein, a pen section, a valve, and a tube having a filling passage which communicates with said pen section at one end and with the reservoir at the rear end of said reservoir only, a separate passage independent of saidiilling passage leading from said reservoir to said pen section and controlled by said valve, and means for drawing ink into said reservoir and expelling air therefrom.

4. In a fountain pen, the combination with a casing having a reservoir provided with a filling passage having an opening located near the rear end of and within said reservoir, a` separate passage independent of said filling passage leading from said reservoir to supply the pen, a valve for controlling said last named passage, and means for drawing ink into said reservoir .and expelling the air therefrom.

5. The combination in a fountain pen with a casing. having a reservoir for ink, of a pen section located at one end thereof, a filling tube extending therefrom to the opposite end of the casing, a plug having a valve controlled ink passage connecting the reservoir and the pen sectlon to supplythe pen, a hollow plunger inclosing `said tube and provided with a collar at its inner end,

a separable abut-ment carried by the casing against which the collar on the plunger may abut, packing material located on the opposite side of the abutment on the casing and means for holding the same under compression. y

6. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a pen section, a tube communicating with the pen section at one end and wit-h the interior of the reservoir at its opposite end only, and extending nearly to the rear end of said reservoir, means for drawing ink through said tube into said reservoir and expelling -air therefrom, a separate supply passage, and a valve controlling said passage, through which ink may flow from the reservoir to the pen section. i

7. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a pen section, two separate passages, one of which extends from said pen sect-ion to the rear end of said reservoir andv opens into the reservoir thereat only, and the other of which extends from said section to the end of the reservoir adjacent thereto, a valve for controlling said last passage, and means for drawing ink into said reservoir and expelling air therefrom.

8. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a valve con-4 trolled supply passage, a filling passage for said reservoir comprisinga tubular conduit in constant open communication with said reservoir and' extending to near the rear end thereof, means for 'drawing ink through said conduit and for ejecting air therethrough, and a closure member arranged to close the rear end of said conduit within said casing. 9. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a passage through which ink may flow fromsaid reservoir to the pen, and a passage leading from one end of the reservoir to the other and in open communication therewith at its rear en d only, means for drawing ink into said reserf voirV and then expelling air-- therefrom, a valve controlling said first passage and comprising two members', and means for operating said valve by rotating one of said p members relative to the other.

10. A fountainzpen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein provided with an outlet passage, a valve controlling said out- 'let passage,4 means comprising a tube and ump for 'first 'drawing and 'trapping ink 1n said reservoir and then expelling air therefrom, a'section holder, and means for operating said. valve by rotating -said casing Lrelative to said section holder.

y'11. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir'thereln provided'with an'V outlet `which communicates with the 'pen and having a valve controlling the said outlet, a tube connected to the casing near its forward end and extending to near the rear end of the reservoir and in open communication therewith at its rear end only, and means for drawing ink through said tube and into said reservoir and trapping the ink therein.

12. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a pen section, a passage connecting the reservoir and pen section, a valve for controlling the flow of ink through said passage from said reservoir, a tube connected to said valve and ex tending nearly to the opposite end of said casing to serve as a conduit through which air may be driven from said casing, and means for opening or closing the said valve by rotating one of its parts relative to 'the other without closing said tube.

13. A fountain pen comprising a casing, pumping mechanism connected therewith, a

pen section, a valve controlling a passagel .tate relative to each other, one carried by said section and one by said casing and con trolling a passage leading from said reservoir to said pen section to supply the pen, said pen section having a groove in its periphery, and a pin connected to said casing and extending across same and cooperating with said groove to prevent the Yseparation of the casing and pen section, and means comprising said filling tube and a pump for 'drawing and trapping ink into said reservoir and expelling air therefrom.

15. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a pen sect-ion, a valve controlling a passage leading from said reservoir to said pen section, a valve disk, a tube connected to said valve disk and ext-ending through said reservoir in and with the open section at its opposite end, means for closing one end 'of said tube and for drawing ink into said reservoir and expelling air therefrom.

l16. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein, a pen section, a passage leading vfrom the reservoir tov the pen section, a valve controlling said passage bet-weensaid reservoir and said pen section, a valve disk, a tube connected to said valve vopen communication therewith at one endv disk and extending through said reservoir yin opencommunication therewith at one end and with the pen section at its opposite end,

and means for drawing ink into said reservoir.

l'LA fountain pen comprising a reservoir, a pen section therefor, a tube extended within said reservoir from the front end thereof, a sup-ply passage connecting the pen and said reservoir, and means rotatably related to said lpen section to control the flow through said supply passage.

18. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein and an opening at its forward end, a pen section located in said opening and provided with an inkduct, a rotatable valve abutting the end of said pen section having a port normally in open communication with the duct in said section, and rotatable to bring the port out of register and thus shut off the ink supply, a tube extending from said valve toward the rear end of said casing and in open communication at one end with said ink duct and at its opposite end with said reservoir, and means foroperating said valve through the medium of said tube.

19. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein and an opening at its forward end, a pen section located in said opening and providedwith an ink duct, a rotatable valve abutting the end of said pen section having a port normally in open communication with the duct in said section and rotatable to bring the port out of register and thus shut olf the ink supply, a tube eX- tending from said valve toward the rear end of said casing and in open communication at one end with said ink duct and at its opposite end With said reservoir, and lmeans for drawing ink Within said reservoir and for expelling the air therefrom through said tube.

20. A fountain pen comprising a casing having a reservoir therein and an opening at its forward end, a .pen section located in. said opening and provided with an ink duct, a rotatable valve abutting the end of Said pen section having a port normally in open communication with the duct insaid section and rotatable toA bring the port out of register and thus shut off the ink supply, and means for rotating vsaid valve to close communication between thereservoir and said ink duct, said means comprising a tube which extends from said valve to the rear end of said reservoir, and pumping means for drawing ink into said reservoir and for expellingl the air therefrom through said Itube to the atmosphere.

In testimony whereof, I, FRANK M. `ASH- LEY, have signed my name to this specification 1n the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANK M. ASHLEY. Witnesses H. J. DORGELOH, I N. C. M1L LEY. 

